Staffing. I want to congratulate Jennifer Fine-Loven on her appointment as the next Town Marshal as of this spring. Jen is a highly motivated hardworking person, and will give this position her all, and bring in some fresh ideas.

Nederland Police Department is in its final testing stages to hire a new officer. A conditional job offer has been made. However, NPD is still competing against other agencies for this applicant. This is something new and I guess just how the labor market has changed.

This applicant came to us after we paid a short visit with four cadets at the Red Rocks Police Academy in December. He has a strong music background and plays the bass. We have done our best to woo him in with the beauty, culture, and freedoms working for the Town brings to our residents. Hopefully, next month I will be introducing our newest officer.

Covid took out 3-4 officers for a week.

Training. We are getting an early start on training. Officer JP Niehaus attended a four-hour class of ice driving, on Georgetown Lake. It is hosted by CIRSA. All other NPD officers attended last year. Attending this training covers the driving portion for POST, and provides points toward the Town’s overall insurance rating with CIRSA.

We have started our first module of combined firearms and arrest control with Boulder Sheriff. Each module is a block of training. JP and I are both scheduled for a Naloxone “train the trainer” class coming up in February. I will be attending and assisting a rifle training with the Colorado Rangers on February 12.

Vehicles. Patrol 1 received a new push bar and was switched over to the new graphics package. The bottom rung on the old push bar was almost rusted in half. Removal and replacement were done in-house. Three of our four cars are now marked the same. Patrol 2 sold last year.

Patrol 3 was found to have a small hole in the floorboard. We chose to fix it in house. The small hole was actually turned into a giant cancer hole. Officer Erich was able to custom fit a thin piece of steel in from the top side, and seal it up as best he could. Even though the cars still have life in the motor, we are finding that once they are past 10 years the electrical system has numerous problems, and we see other frequent failures as well. Patrol 1 & 3 are 13 years old. Mountain driving, along with extra salt and sand, really takes its toll on Town vehicles.

Doing good things in the community. It’s been a while since I brought you an “atta boy” story. However, JP stopped to help a woman with an arm load of groceries. Below is a comment card Town Hall received:

Wow -- what a surprise today when I was walking home from the bus, carrying 4 heavy bags of food....I’m 81 and was tired and saw the Ned Police car and thought “I sure wish I could get a ride home!” never expecting what happened. JP pulled up and asked if I was ok -- probably he saw I was “dragging” trying to walk in the snow. He asked, “do you need a ride?” Wow, I sure did and said YES. I had met JP before and so it was a delight and such a gift to be taken the 5 blocks home -- much appreciated and much needed. Thanks so much to all of you for your kindness and to JP in particular!

NPD staff also assisted numerous people stuck in the snow, on or off the road, digging, pulling, or calling for a tow truck to get them unstuck.

Local Crime. A disturbance between two men at Ned’s resulted in one being smashed in the face with a pint beer glass. The victim was transported to the hospital where he received several stitches. His injuries met the definition of serious bodily injury. The suspect immediately fled the area, with a severe cut to his hand. His blood trail led to a house on Second Street, where he was turned away. It’s believed the suspect’s blood loss caused him to fall to the ground where he eventually died from arterial bleeding.

A large-scale investigation was launched due to the fact of a deceased male lying in the street. Detectives and Investigators along with the District Attorney from the 20th Judicial district worked on the case. Colorado Rangers were also brought in for scene security.

A vehicle parked in Old Town that had not moved for months was jacked up, then placed on rocks, the catalytic converter was cut out, the front struts were removed, along with the tow hitch.

Mail and package theft from the 600 block of Caribou Road.

Vehicle break-ins at Boulder Falls and at Caribou Open Space.

FDGD March 18, 19, 20. The festival will be here before you know it. Town staff are working with FDGD staff to complete their check list of “to do”s. I don’t expect a huge change in traffic flow even with a professional traffic control company on board. The overwhelming number of ski traffic, FDGD traffic, and pedestrians will cover every open spot of pavement from the Eldora turn off to beyond East St. I encourage people to do any shopping before Saturday and Sunday, and stay off the roads between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.. Every year we get locals who are upset the road is closed for the parade or they can’t get to ACE. There is only so much that can be done.